American Flat Track TT 2017 Gets Going In Big Way

Column By: JOHN ZACHARY / RPW – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The newly-named AMA Flat Track Series began the 2017 season at Daytona International Speedway. These modern day daredevils opened their part of Bike Week by racing on a TT track designed by 7-time Grand Nation Champion Chris Carr.

In past year’s, Riders would ride both 750 twins, and 450 single motorcycles through out the season. New for this year, the riders will only be riding the twins on all types of tracks. This will make each race exciting, and interesting for both the riders and the fans. The secondary class AFT singles will still be riding the 450’s at their events. These are the up and coming riders of the sport.

On top of all of those changes we also have the renewed rivalry between Factory Harley Davidson, and Factory Indian. It has been 70 years since these two brands banged bars on a race track. Both teams have three of the best riders in the business.

I watched the Daytona TT race on Fanschoice.tv. They do a great job of bring live flack track racing into our living rooms.

Chris Carr’s track was laid down in the infield of the Speedway, the same place where The Supercross race was held last weekend. Left and right hand turns, plus a small jump made up the tricky track for the AFT riders.

Defending champion Brian Smith will be aboard his brand new Factory Indian Twin Motorcycle this season, which had two heat wins to start the night. Smith won his heat race, and former champion Jared Mees won his heat on the all new Indian.

Team Harley had some on track mishaps that put them behind for the Main. Brandon Robinson brought his Harley home third in his Qualifying Heat.
After all of qualifying races the track held up good for the mains. A nice groove developed for the riders to get some kind of bite on. A lot of local riders from NY, and Pa made their way to the sunshine State for bike week this year. It is always exciting watching Riders that you get to at local tracks during the summer.

The first of two AFT Twins semi had team Harley riders Kenny Coolbeth, and Brandon Robinson trying to get their New bikes into the main event. Robinson broke a chain early in the race on his Harley. Meanwhile Mees was up in the top three on his Indian Scout FTR750. Coolbeth put his Harley into the show with the final qualifying spot.

Semi no 2 had Bryan Smith, Vanderkooi, Bromley, and Jones looking for a starting spot in the big dance later in in the night. The track looked to be getting faster as the night went on.

Now the mains were set. AFT singles hit the track first, followed by the AFT Twins feature race. Motorcycle daredevil Bubba Blackwell was on pit row doing interviews for fanschoicetv he did a good job all night.

15 laps was the distance for the AFT singles main. Anderson, Janis, Gauthier battled for the lead lap after lap. One mistake by anyone of them would be a change for position. Gauthier made a mistake, letting Carlile get by and move into the second spot. With two to go Gauthier went from fourth to second, looking to take the lead. Dalton put his Yamaha underneath the leader on the last corner to take the win. Wow what a race. Dalton Gauthier, beat out Wyatt Anderson for the win.

Now the AFT twins would have to step it up to match that finish. 25 laps was the distance for the big race of the night. The stage was set for a new season of flat track racing. Need got the hole shot with Rush a close second. Champion Smith was in the fifth position early in the race. Vanderkooi made a move on Rush to move into the second spot. Soon after that Rush went off the track sending him way back in the pack.

Mees was turning the track wok then 29 second laps. TT expert Henry Wiles moved his way into fifth at the 1/2 mark. Meanwhile Smith was working on Jake Johnson for the third spot. Bryan did take the third spot with wiles close behind. Mees was looking for his first TT win, and Indians first win since the 50’s.

Vanderkooi broke with 3 to go, putting Smith in to second. Indian finishes 1st, 2nd. With Mees, Smith, Wiles, Johnson, Bauman rounding out the top five.

Great show for Indian and the all New American Flat Track Series.